I have a diagnosis of Aspergers, which was given to me four years ago by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, but only after I instigated the process.
At school, I was labelled an ''enigmatic'' child because no one really understood me. An educational psychologist assessed me when I was in year 6, and recommended that I should receive a statement of SEN straight away. The school dragged their heels and did nothing. No reason for my difficulties was given, other than that I was 'emotionally and physically immature' (taken from the Ed psych report, that is still in my possession).
I am not an'obvious' case. I do engage with people, my voice is not monotonous, I don't look at the ground as I speak, or display any obvious autistic behaviours. I certainly do display autistic behaviours, it is just I am very good at covering them up when I am in public. I am articulate and self-aware- too self-aware, in fact. Therefore, people easily labelled me as 'shy', 'troublesome', 'obnoxious', a 'slow learner' etc. But despite not being 'obvious', I am really affected by my Aspergers. It causes chronic anxiety, a feeling of being on edge all the time, environmental overload, problems understanding the intentioms of other people, obsessive compulsive behaviours.
What worries me is that less 'obvious' cases fall through the cracks, while the person with the undiagnosed condition develops serious problems that prevent them from holding down employment, making sense of their world, and risking serious mental health problems. You should never judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes, and someone who appears to be coping, and does not seem autistic at first glance, may well have serious disabling issues. It is not good enough to say that someone's problem was missed because they did not come across as ''obvious'. Professionals need to look out for the less obvious cases, who are often struggling the most, or certainly no less than the more typical presentations.
